It has been a rough couple weeks at Casa del KatKnits, Gentle Reader… I passed my 5th anniversary of moving to Pittsburgh on the 19th and shortly after that a case of Homesick for Holland hit…hard. And, honestly – I have shed a few tears by myself and even allowed myself to have a bit of a one-person pity party. This is not a good look, trust me, and I have been working on getting myself out of this funk. I don’t do melancholy well… at all, but every thought seemed to be focused back to all the things I think I am missing.
Thanks to Kym, I did have something else to try to focus on for some of this week! When I wasn’t drowning in self-pity I thought about what I want this Christmas to be. Honestly, Merry and Bright just sort of rang hollow and, while I love Bing’s White Christmas – it just is not what I needed to focus on.
But, then last night… out of the blue Steve sent me a link…
As usual, he has the perfect reminder for me… he does make it feel like Christmas, and so that is going to be my focus for the season. The blues might not be entirely gone, but I can see my silver lining shining through…and that is a very good thing indeed.
That is all I have for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!
It has been one of those weeks, Gentle Reader. One in which you realize just how vital small pieces of technology are… This week, the watchOS update bricked my (brand new!!) Apple Watch and my naked wrist is a constant reminder of something not quite right. I miss its gentle reminders to get up when I have been sitting too long and I really miss its inspiration as I walk. Hopefully, Apple has it repaired and back to me soon. Honestly, I know this is a first world problem that seems kind of shallow in light of all that is going on in the world today. But, there you have it… I am having watch withdrawals!
Thinking About – Some words said by Rabbi Diamond this week following the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue: “…some of the things going on…go against our principals as Americans, things that we’ve stood for – for years. All Jews and **many Americans** were immigrants at some point. I’m thinking we shouldn’t be sending soldiers down to the border, we should be going down to the border to welcome these people with open arms. And, perhaps that’s where the wall could be built, a wall of people to stand between the soldiers and these poor refugees and to protect them and welcome them into our country.” These words have filled my heart, my mind, and my meditations this week. May we somehow find our way back to being that welcoming, unified America…and soon.
Grateful For – So many things, but especially the incredibly mild weather we have had over the past couple of days – open windows this time of year are a wonderful treat! And, as I sit this morning sipping my coffee, feeling the gentle breeze float in the open window, listening to the occasional bird chatter – I am overflowing with gratitude at these simple things!
Inspired By – This writing. When I grow up, perhaps my writing will be this wonderful. Thank you, Jane for sharing such an incredibly lovely slice of your day! The words, so full of evocative beauty, have stayed with me since reading them.
One additional fun thing…I managed to knit through the first lace chart on my Blaer yesterday. One down, two to go! And, then… short rows! LOL Ahhh… SweMo is providing much more joy than PoMo ever did!
That is all I have for this week! I will see you back here on Monday and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!
Thinking About – As I am carefully assembling the blankets – I have been thinking about the two people I will send them to. One I know, one I do not but, as I have been joining each square I have been thinking about their struggle as they battle their illness. I have also been thinking about my inspiration for this – Annie has had some difficult days. She starts Round Three on Monday – so keep her in your thoughts!
Grateful For – Being back at home! While I love going away, and especially going to visit my kids – being gone makes me appreciate home much more. You know… your own bed, your own shower, and yes… I might even be looking forward to our “regularly scheduled happy hour” tonight!
Inspired by –Like Mary, I am also inspired by Robin’s Back to the Mat Challenge! I have fallen off the Pilates Wagon and this is just the thing I need to get me back on track after vacation!
Fun, fun, fun – This weekend the things on tap include visiting Janoski’s to get some apples to make an Apple Cake and getting out a few more Halloween decorations – although we are ready for Happy Hour, lol!
Why is it that approaching vacation time equals diminishing brain function? Or am I the only person experiencing this phenomenon? And, it seems all things are conspiring to remind me that vacation is coming! Airbnb sent a reminder this morning… just in case I was not already thinking about it!
But, there are some random thoughts rattling around my brain that I am just going to dump out here to close out the week!
First up, Kym posted about the abundance of fungi that are flourishing thanks to the recent rains. My back yard has become one such area… we have a fungi explosion here too, as you can see in my photo. I am not sure what kind of mushrooms these are, but they sure are interesting – they “open” like an umbrella!
Next, did you see that The Man Booker Shortlist is out? I am significantly disappointed that Warlight did not move from the longlist to the shortlist… boo!
One of the blogs that I really love is Tom of Holland – he never disappoints and almost always wows and there are lots of wows in this post. I simply love the idea of taking something that is unwearable and turning it into a true work of art.
Next week Friday, Issue 6 of Laine Magazine will be out. But!!! You can start planning your knits today as the images are up on Ravelry this morning! There are a number of things that I am entirely smitten with!
I have been most disappointed recently with Knitty, but the Astronomer’s Beret is really quite wonderful – and it combines knitting and embroidery in a very unique way!
Sally Melville’s All Ages Vest is fun… and easy install zippers FTW!
And just like that, another week draws to a close. Is it just me, or does this month seem to be moving a warp speed??
I think I have finally found the reason to have multiple projects going at once… yes, it’s true! I knit a few more rounds on my Stripey sweater and needed some time to “live with” the beige. Good thing I have some lovely round and round knitting to do which allows for LOTS of thinking! I am getting so close to the sleeve divide and before I know it I will have 15″ knit!
Dances With Wool has been sharing some amazing knitting. I loved these twoposts in which Lene has shared her process of knitting a Ziggurat sweater. Beautiful knitting and beautiful blogging! If you don’t follow her, you should!
The links this week are so full of fun things!
First up… Tulip (which has lovely details, two styles, and different shaping on each sweater!)
Finally, for all of us fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society… there is a hat!
That is all I have for today! Have an amazing weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
P.S. My thoughts are with the people of the Carolina’s who are in pathway of Florence as are the citizens of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, MA. Be safe!
